Folding shipping-box.



w ,C. W E m mi A PATENTED FEB. 25, 1908.

W. K. ALLGIRB. FOLDING SHIPPING BOX.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 13. 1907.

3/ anvcmfoz 23 i knew W UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-E, 5

WILLIAM K. ALLGIRE, or INDIANAPOLISINDIANA.

FOLDING SHIPPING-BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1908.

Application filed May 13.1907. Serial .No. 373357.

-.shall be substantially continuous and free from points or projections and substantially unbreakable.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figurel is a perspective view of a box in distended condition; Fig. 2 a longitudinal section thereof; Fig. 3 a transverse section on line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a similar section on line 44 of Fig. 2, .and Fig. 5 a side elevation of my box in collapsed condition.

In the drawings, 10 indicates a top frame conveniently formed of comparatively narrow strips of wood connected together by suitable connecting plates 11, said frame forming a central opening 12. The bottom frame 13 is similar to frame 10 and the central opening therein is conveniently closed by a light metal plate 14. The sides 15 and ends 15 are formed of flexible material, such, for instance, as heavy duck, being conveniently formed of a single strip passing around a the outer edges of the top and bottom frames and secured thereto by nailing or otherwise, suitable strengthening bands. 16 being used if desired. I

In order to hold the structure distended I mount in each end thereof a swinging strut each of which is conveniently formed from a sin le piece of rod bent into a substantially U-s ape so as to form legs 17 and a connect- Each leg 17 is provided P-II ing cross-bar 17. at its lower end with an inturned portion 1 which is journaled in asuitable bearing 18 fastened to the inner face of the bottom 13, the arrangement being such that this strut may be swun from the position shown in full lines in F1g. 2 to the position shown in dotted lines in said figure. It be readily understood that the struts may be fastened to the top frame instead of the bottom frame, as shown, or one strut may be fas tene'd to each frame, but I consider the arrangement shown to be the most practical.

Any suitable means may be used to hold the struts in distendin position, but I find a convenient means to e one carried by the swinging doors 20 which I prefer to use for closing the opening 12 in the top 10'. These swinging doors 20 are hinged, at their outer edges, by hinges 21, to the frame 10 and may be normally held in closed positionb ordinary cupboard catches 22 of a well own form, said catches cooperating With suitable sockets 22 arranged in the frame 10. Each swinging door carries, at each end'of itsfree edge, a pin 23 adapted to be projected through an opening 24 formed through frame 10 and said pins and openings are so arranged that, when the doors are closed, as shown in Fig. 2, the pins 23 will project in front of the cross-bar 17 of the adjacent strut and thus hold said struts against dis placement.

In view of-the fact that the side walls of the receptacle are flexible it is desirable that means be provided to facilitate the proper folding of said walls along predetermined lines, when the receptacle is collapsed, as otherwise the folded structure would present an unsightly appearance and the folded walls might project beyond the edges of the top and bottom and thus be liable to be torn in shipping. For this reason I provide the sides 15 with suitable meansfor defining the crease or fold lines. In the drawings I have shown such means as consisting of a pair of swinging members 25 and 25 which are identical and are conveniently formed of Wire bent into substantially the shape shown with their ends formed to enter suitable bearing brackets 26 secured in pairs to the top and bottom frames, the arrangement being such that the members 25 and 25 are free to swing. I also deem it advisable to stiffen one vertical half of the end walls 15 and this is vide a strap 30 and cooperating buckle 31. at

each end of the structure, said parts being secured to the top and bottom frames.

In operation, practically the entire volume of the box is available for reception of articles to be shipped, as, for instance, bread and other bakeryproducts. When the contents have been removed, the doors 20 being opened, the operator has merely to pull the rods 17 of the struts toward each other, thus causing the struts to drop to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. Thereupon a slight inward pressure on the walls 15 and 15 causes said walls to fold inwardly, members 25 swinging in their brackets 26 and thus defining the lines of fold. Doors 20 may be then closed and the parts'secured together by the strap and buckle 30-31. In reverse operation, the top frame 10 is first lifted and the struts 1717 are swung to the ositions shown in full lines in Fig. 2. The hox is then loaded and doors 20 swung down to closing position where pins 23 pass through openings 24 in position to retain the struts in holding position. Said pins 23 also serve to stiffen the top frame 10 so that an extremely rigid structure is produced. The side walls, while easily foldable, are still continuous and do not present any projecting oints or edges.

k If desired, a finger 25 may be attached to member 25 in position to engage the mating member 25 and limit the opening movement thereof so that they will stand bowed slightly inward and thus be in position to automatically swing inward as soon as the struts 17- 17 are thrown down.

I claim as my invention:

1. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of frames, connecting walls composed of exible material, and movable struts each mounted upon one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the other of said frames.

2. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, connecting walls composed of flexible material, and movable struts each mounted within the receptacle on one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of su porting engagement with the other of said 'rames.

3. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, one of which is provided with a central opening, a door forming a closure for said opening, movable struts mounted within the receptacle on one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of supporting engagement with the other of said frames, and means carried by said door for retaining the struts in supporting position.

4. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, flexible walls connecting the same, and a pair of swinging struts each pivotally mounted upon one of said frames at opposite sides thereof and adapted to be swung into and out of position to hold the frames separated.

5. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, flexible walls connecting the. same, a pair of swingin struts each pivotally mounted upon one 0 said frames at opposite sides thereof and adapted to be swung into and out of position to hold the frames separated, a closure for an opening through one of said frames, and means carried by said closure for engaging the swinging struts to hold them in supporting position.

6. A collapsible receptacle comprisin a air of frames, connecting walls composed of exible material, movable struts each mounted upon one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the other of said frames, and fold-defining members connected to the flexible walls.

7. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, movable struts each mounted within the receptacle on one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of supporting engagement with the other of said frames, and fold-defining members connected to the flexible walls.

8. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, one of which is provided with a central opening, a door forming a closure for said opening, movable struts each mounted within the receptacle on one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of su porting engagement with the other of said rames, means carried by said door for retainin the struts in supporting position, and fold defining members connected to the flexible walls.

9. A collapsible receptacle comprising a air of mating frames, flexible walls connectmg the same, a pair of swinging struts each pivotally mounted upon one of said frames at opposite sides swung into and out of position to hold the frames separated, and fold-defining members connected to the flexible walls.

10. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, flexible walls connecting the same, a pair of swinging struts each pivotally mounted upon one of said frames at opposite sides thereof and adapted to be swung into and out of position to hold the frames separated, a closure for an opening throu 11 one of said frames, means carried by said 0 osure for engaging the swinging struts to hold them in supporting position, and folddeiining members connected to the flexible walls.

11. A collapsible receptacle comprising a air of frames, connecting walls composed of flexible material, movable struts each mounted upon one of said frames and adapt* ed to be moved into and out of engagement with the other of said frames, and fold-defining members connected to the flexible walls,

each of said members being pivotally connected to one of the frames.

12. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, movable struts each mounted within the receptacle on one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of supporting enga ement with the other of said frames, and fol -defining members connected to the flexible walls, each of said members being pivotally connected to one of the frames.

13. A collapsible receptacle com rising a pair of mating frames, one of whic is provided with a central opening, a door forming a closure for said opening, movable struts each mounted within the receptacle on one of said frames and adapted to be moved into and out of supporting engagement with the other of said frames, means carried by said door for retainin the struts in supporting position, and fol defining members connected to the flexible walls, each of said members being pivotally connected to one of the frames.

14. A collapsible receptacle comprising a' opposite sides thereof, and adapted to be swung into and out of osition to hold the frames separated, and fo d-defining members connected to the flexible walls, each of said members being pivotally connected to one of the frames.

15. A collapsible receptacle comprising a pair of mating frames, flexible Walls connecting the same, a pair of swinging struts each pivotally mounted upon one of said frames at .opposite sides thereof and adapted to be swung into and out of position to hold the frames separated, a closure for an openin through one of said frames, means carried by said closure for engaging the swinging struts to hold them in supporting position, and fold-deflning members connected to the flexible Walls, each of said members being pivotally connected to one of the frames.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Indianapolis, Indiana, this 11th day of May, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and seven.

XVILLIAM K. ALLGIRE. 

